Los Angeles, California: I learned, several months ago, my favorite food writer, David Lebovitz, would be at Sur La Table in Los Angeles during Thanksgiving week, I signed up so Lisa and I could attend. He would be doing a cooking demo - Croissants aux Amandes - and signing copies of his newest book, L'Appart: The Delights and Disasters of Making My Paris Home.
Lisa and I left the guys with the kids (they went out for sushi) and ubered to the Sur La Table store at The Grove downtown Los Angeles, and settled into to our reserved seats in the large cooking school inside the shop. Mr. Lebovitz's new book was on our chair, ready to be signed.
The book is about his process of purchasing an apartment in Paris and remodeling the space to include a very large American-style kitchen - with a few recipes dispersed throughout. As he began making the almond croissants (using day-old croissants and slathering them with a custard-creme and almonds, and baking until golden), he talked about the real estate situation in Paris: from the day he found the apartment, until the day he moved in required an entire year. THEN, the remodel began. Lebovitz is funny and open about his feelings, yet he is, somehow, obviously a very shy person and he seemed so nervous speaking before the crowd of about 30 people.
After sharing the delicious pastries with the group, we lined up as he personalized our books and signed with a flourish.
Won't this be a nice addition to my David Lebovitz book collection?It was such fun to finally meet him! He was so nice, and happy to receive the Oregon Jacobsen Sea Salt I brought as a gift.
After the demo, Lisa and I went to dinner. Just the two of us. We stayed out until Lenny sent a text proclaiming both children were asleep. A wonderful Mother-Daughter evening.More exciting adventures tomorrow!
Until my next update, I remain, your Los Angeles correspondent.